The Department has a limited number of G.A. positions that are awarded annually on a competitive basis (e.g., undergraduate and/or graduate GPA, relevant experience, areas of expertise, ability to work with undergraduate students, and other competencies will be considered).  G.A. positions entail 20 hours of work each week for the fall and spring semesters. In return, students can expect to earn approximately $7,050 plus a fee waiver for up to 12 credit hours per fall and spring semesters (at least 6 hours of which must be at the 500 and/or 600 level), and 6 credit hours in the summer semester.  Although graduate students can hold a G.A. position for a maximum of two years, G.A. positions in the Department are not automatically renewed; those wishing to renew their current assistantship must submit a letter of intent outlining the progress and accomplishments made during their assistantship.

G.A.'s duties will differ, depending on the needs of the faculty member with whom they work.  G.A.s assist professors in working with undergraduate students (sometimes running their own tutorial sections), grade undergraduate papers, offer review sessions prior to examinations, assist professors with their own research or library work as needed, and generally contribute to the ongoing life of the Department. 

Those wishing to apply for a G.A. position should contact the Department of Religious Studies concerning the timing and requirements of the application process. Application forms are available from the Graduate College, but Religious Studies and other departments require other material in addition to the application form. The Graduate Committee generally makes decisions for each year’s G.A. positions in the late spring and early summer for each fall semester.

 

Click here for instructions for applying for a Graduate Assistantship in Religious Studies.